Rhino (Marvel)
The Rhino is a male comic supervillain that features in Marvel Comics.
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Biography
Aleksei Systevich was a male Russian who immigrated to the United States by the modern age. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #625) During this time, he operated as a hired muscle for criminals where he did work for professional spies. One day, he was recruited for an experiment by a group of scientists that were working for nations that paid them the most money. They reasoned that the subject's low intelligence made him perfect as it meant that he was least likely to betray them. Thus, he was subjected to an experiment that bonded a molecular adhesive skin with treatments that gave him superhuman strength and durability. He was regarded as among the strongest men alive who was to be his creators perfect obedient assassin. However, the experiment had also increased his intelligence and he reasoned that he should not take orders from anyone leading to him destroying the laboratory. As the Rhino, he decided to use his powers to make himself rich where he decided to sell his services to others in performing various acts such as sabotage. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #43)
As the Rhino, he was dispatched on his first mission which was to kidnap astronaut John Jameson who was the son of Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson and sell him to the highest bidder. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #41)
On his way to New York City, the news came to report on his activities which drew the attention of the costumed hero Spider-Man. During their battle, the Wall-Crawler came to learn that the Rhino was not able to change directions during his charges and that the villain was rather dumb. He then used his superior agility and skill to avoid the Rhino thus tiring his opponent until he could knock him out. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #41)
He was later approached by the scientists who originally made him into the Rhino where they offered to restore his former powers. Accepting the deal, his powers were restored where his benefactors then tasked him with defeating the Hulk. (Incredible Hulk v1 #104)
After the Registration, he had the option of restarting his life again and decided to take it where he abandoned his criminal past as the Rhino. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #617)
With the death of his wife, Aleksei felt there was no point in living in a world without his Oksana. When Octavius was recruiting a new Sinister Six, he confessed to the Rhino that he planned to use his Octavian Lenses to destroy the Earth as his final act before the cancer claimed his body. Aleksei agreed to join on the condition that Otto continued with his plans as he wanted to see the world burn. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #687)
Overview
Personality and attributes
He was known to had gone by the name of Alex O'Hirn. (Incredible Hulk v1 #435)
Originally, he claimed to had been a nobody who operated as a hired hood and muscle man where he did dirty jobs. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #43)
People tended to think he was stupid though some claimed that his lack of intelligence would prevent him from betraying his employers. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #43)
He later came to be involved with a former waitress named Oksana with the two entering into a relationship where he initially said that he would not fall in love with her. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #617) However, he changed as a person because of her and felt that she had turned him from a beast into a man. It was said that when she was killed then Aleksei himself also died that day and he once more embraced his Rhino persona. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #625) Through Oksana, he had a blonde haired niece named Tanya but her family did not let him see her due to Aleksei’s criminal background. (Miles Morales: Spider-Man v1 #3)
Powers and abilities
Originally, he was an ordinary human though was noted for his strength and size. He was then subjected to an experimental treatment where over the course of a month he experienced various injections and treatments. It was then their greatest invention was added which was a form of molecular adhesive that became a second skin for him. This served as a protective that covered him and gave him the strength akin to a rhino along with far greater durability. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #43) Thus, the suit was bonded to his skin giving him incredible superhuman strength and durability allowing him to easily breakthrough walls as well as be impervious to bullets. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #41) One effect of the experiment was that it also increased his intelligence. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #43) After his protective hide was destroyed, a new one was created that was far stronger than the original which did not break down when exposed to acids. The skin was constructed of threads that provided increased strength to the wearer. To compliment this, the Rhino himself was exposed to gamma ray bombardment so that he could match the added strength of the skin. (Incredible Hulk v1 #104) Some of the treatments that turned him into the Rhino were irreversible which meant even when removed of his skin and abilities he still retained a high degree of strength as well as durability. (Amazing Spider-Man v1 #617)
Notes
- The Rhino was created by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr. where he made his first appearance in the Amazing Spider-Man v1 #41 (October, 1966).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In Spider-Man, the Rhino appeared in the setting of the 1967 animated television series where he was voiced by actor Ed McNamara.
- In Spider-Man, Aleksei Sytsevich appeared in the setting of 2018 animated television series where he was voiced by actor Matthew Mercer. This version was younger where he was a student at Horizon High.
Films
- In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Aleksei Sytsevic appeared in the setting of the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Paul Giamatti.
Video games
- In The Incredible Hulk, the Rhino appeared as a stage level boss in the 1994 video game.
- In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, the Rhino appeared as a mini-boss in the setting of the video game where he was voiced by actor Peter Lurie.
Appearances
- Amazing Spider-Man v1: (1966)
- Miles Morales: Spider-Man v1:
- Amazing Spider-Man v5:
External Links
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